As Saudi Arabia's formal centre of commerce and diplomacy, Riyadh has historically had a large expat community. As such, there's a good selection of international schools in Riyadh to serve the needs of the city's foreign population.
While foreigners have access to Saudi government schools, the language and cultural barriers leave few expat families willing to brave the switch. This increases demand at international schools, resulting in limited places. It's therefore important that expats apply to several schools as early as possible.
International schools in Riyadh
The requirements for securing a place at an international school in Riyadh vary from one institution to the next. Some schools may need written references from a child's previous schools, while others require students to sit an entrance examination.
While most international schools in Riyadh are not selective, others my give preference to students according to their nationality. Although it is not necessary for children to attend a school sponsored by their country of origin, the logistical transition between systems tends to be easiest in this sort of situation.
A non-refundable application fee is standard procedure. Some schools also require parents to pay an extra seat deposit. In addition, parents often have to sort out uniforms, textbooks and extracurricular activities.
While international schools can be pricey, expat parents will be glad to know that the facilities and teaching standards at these schools are usually top-tier. Nevertheless, it is advisable for expats to negotiate a schooling allowance into their expat relocation packages wherever possible.
The school year in Saudi Arabia runs from September to June, and is normally divided into two or three semesters, depending on the school. The school week is Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend. School days are shortened during the holy month of Ramadan.
See our selection of the Best International Schools in Riyadh
Special educational needs in Riyadh
With expats being largely reliant on international schools, there isn't one standard policy across schools, with the result being that some schools are better equipped than others to provide support for students with special educational needs. Networking with fellow expat families and researching schools in depth can help determine which school is most suitable.
Although most expats choose to go the international school route, Saudi Arabia's Department of Education aims to provide inclusive education as far as possible. This means developing programmes and availing support services to ensure children with special needs are included in the mainstream classroom.
Tutors in Riyadh
Local families frequently employ tutors to help children become proficient in English as a second language. Non-English-speaking expat families in Saudi Arabia can benefit from doing the same, while those looking to learn or improve their Arabic should opt for a local Arabic tutor. Major upcoming exams and problem subjects are also areas tutors can service well.